The Macabre MafiaPreface: My question was a simple question, yet resulted in a sophisticated answer. What is the Mafia, La Cosa Nostra, and its history? The general population knows very basic knowledge of organized crime and the places in which it exists. The Mafia is but bits and pieces of an image depicted through various scenes in cinema as well as reality. Never however have any of us found the opportunity to do some extra research to find more about the answers to this mysterious “tribe.” Curious, I decided to dig in deeper and discover the hidden factors for the creation and expansion of this notorious gang. What were the benefits? What were the ideals? These are all questions that inspired me to discover more about the perplexing Mafia.What is the Mafia, La Cosa Nostra, and its history?
Genre #1: Research Paper
The required research paper allowed me to compose an extensive analysis and search for the answer to my question. Although my question seemed simple, the question seemed resistant to a simple answer. I organized my paper into several paragraphs that gives detailed explanations of the Mafia’s history, expansion, construction, organization, and methods. Through this genre, the reader will be able to grasp a full understanding of the real “La Cosa Nostra.”
Nick Yun
English 10G
Mr. Stephens
October 26, 2009
A Sicilian Way of Life The term "Mafia" dates back to nineteenth century Sicily, essentially meaning aggressive boasting, arrogant but fearless, enterprising, yet proud. Considering the absolute profound impact on both of these societies, no history can be complete in its absence. Often referred to as "La Cosa Nostra," the Mafia was an association of families that had a widespread influence from the smallest illegal dealings to the highest levels of government positions. Although today, the Mafia is considered organized crime, traditionally, the Mafia can be defined as any group of any criminal organizations of Italian or Sicilian heritage.
Several factors contributed to the construction of the Mafia. In essence, what initialized the Mafia was the political position of Italy. Both Italy and Sicily were often conquered and occupied by different forces at many different times (Picchi). This led the indigenous citizens to distrust codified legal systems and authority. By the nineteenth century, the dispute over Sicily caused its political government to collapse. With no real government, local powerful men took imaginary control known as capos (Grabianowski). They abused their powers to extract tributes from farmers also known as "extraction." This was only the beginning of La Cosa Nostra.
In the early 1900s, the Sicilian Mafia became so powerful, it was nearly impossible to avoid contact with them. Later however, dictator Benito Mussolini nearly put an end to the Mafia using often harsh methods. Because of this persecution, a major wave of Italian immigrants moved to America in the early twentieth century. (Grabianowski). While most of them worked a hard and legal life, a few brought along the culture of the Sicilian Mafia. This notorious culture spread throughout the country in the first half of the twentieth century most prominent in New York City where five infamous Mafia gangs took power (Porrello).
Social and financial factors contributed greatly to the expansion of the Mafia. "Mafia-dom" is neither a political nor a religious affiliation. Because of their Italian roots, many of the Mafioso are Catholic. Part of the oath a mobster takes when he becomes a "made man," a member of a Mafia family, is that the Mafia comes before birth, family, and God (Grabianowski). There were two fundamental reasons for the expansion of organized crime in the 1920s and its continuing growth: prohibition and the Great Depression (Carponoctem). While prohibition funded the Mafia with illegal cash flow, the Great Depression delivered the incentives for fresh recruits to join the Mafia in a time where moneymaking was difficult.
The structure and composition of the Mafia is in essence a hierarchy. La Cosa Nostra was an association of gangs alternatively known as “families.” Today, the Mafia is estimated to consist of about 100 families. While the most powerful member of each family was known as a capofaglimia (boss), the most powerful position was glorified as the capo di tutti capi (boss of all bosses). Such a position was filled by Vizzini, Riina, and Provenzano. Other than the actual members of La Cosa Nostra, families used an extensive network of associates ranging from corrupt officials as well as prospective Mafiosi. This is non-negotiably the highest any non-Italian can reach in each family.
Although there were many different gangs that often fought against each other, they all had one thing in common, the prospect and desire to make profit. The most common form of Mafia activity was extortion. Extortion was the forcing of businesses and shops to give regular payments for “protection fee” from thieves and gangs (U-S-history). Although burglaries and muggings generated income, the capos knew that their activities needed a grander scale to ensure profit. This is why they hijacked trucks and unloaded entire shipments of stolen goods. Another method used by Mafioso is to pay off truck drivers or dock workers, who "misplaced" shipments that later ended up in Mafia hands (Grabianowski). The Mafia in both Sicily and America also used drug and arms trafficking as a criminal enterprise as well. It is estimated the Sicilian Mafia profited nearly 12 billion dollars through drug trafficking and nearly 2.5 billion dollars through arms trafficking. The Mafia’s widespread influence in public and private contracting profited the Mafia billions.
Today, the Mafia is nothing more than a symptom of the communities its traces lead. Should the Mafia have had stronger cooperation, both Sicily and the U.S. would be “corrupt beyond-belief.” This unimaginable society, glorified through cinema, terrorized through thought, and fabricated in history, is something no country will never forget.
1960s, the, the Mafia had mostly shifted from direct provision of illegal services, like bookmaking, loansharking, loansharks, in effect, sell these entrepreneurs contract insurance, painstakingly, bloodily acquired earlier, and was now the principal asset.. "The decline of the American Mafia | Public Interest | Find Articles at BNET." Find Articles at BNET | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0377/is_n120/ai_17379694/>.
"The Mafia in Sicilian History, Sicilian Corruption, the European Commission." Sicily - Best of Sicily Travel Guide... The real Sicily and all things Sicilian since 1999. Travel, tourism, history, cooking, food, wine, tours, culture and more. Published in Italy, the world's most Sicilian website! Sicilian tourism, travel informaton. Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Palermo, Cefalu, Sicily Archeology.. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.bestofsicily.com/mafia.>.
Picchi, Lorenzo. "History of the Mafia-Lorenzo Picchi." History of the Mafia-Lorenzo Picchi. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.historyofthemafia.net/>.
"Rick Porrello's - AmericanMafia.com - The Organized Crime and Mafia Super Site." Rick Porrello's - AmericanMafia.com - The Organized Crime and Mafia Super Site. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://www.americanmafia.com/>.
"The Mafia in America." Home | drugtext. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://www.drugtext.org/library/books/McCoy/book/07.htm>. Genre #2: Short Story For my second genre, I chose to compose a fiction short story. Because my topic depicts so much action in imagery alone, I thought it would be perfect to write a story on the action glorified in its history and the reality that it represents. My short story was based on a taxi driver that eventually yet unexpectedly becomes part of the notorious Mafia. This was a common situation in the Mafia era, hence I thought it would be a necessary component of this project. In this genre, the reader will be able to seize the moment of the transformation of a real “Mafioso.” Nick Yun
English 10
Mr. Stephens
October 26, 2009
Good Decisions, Alive and Well Part II rolled up the window, frowned at the bitter frost, and pulled over at the curb before 44th. Lost in thought, I lit my cigarette with a lighter my father had given me. As with every heirloom, I speculated it for a short while and threw it back into my pouch. Things weren’t going to well; in the middle of the depression with a family to support. My once shiny taxi had rusted into an unrecognizable shred of metal. I couldn’t blame mother nature for hurting human nature. I was lucky to even have a job.
The snow glistening on the sidewalks, shining with so many little diamonds, under the lights of the electric poles all the way down the street. My peaceful serenity shattered as quick and heavy footsteps became gradually more conspicuous. I leaned to look at the mirror and saw two men approaching my car.
“Who wants a ride at this hour,” I quietly whispered to myself as I budged to turn around.
The two men were now jolting across the icy road running toward my taxi. I had locked my doors thinking my last job was across Hoboken. I leaned over the small storage compartment to unlock the doors manually. The next thing I knew, a colt 911 was in my face.
“Sam there’s no time, get in the car. Take us to Salieri’s bar quick!”
Speechless, I hurriedly jammed my key into the ignition. The car slowly hummed into a beat. I heard gunshots from a distance as sounds of ricochet and flashes of bullets zipped by my windows. My moist hands jittered as I zoomed across the icy snow beneath my squeaky wheels. Although it was ever so cold outside, I felt closer to the sun than ever. I shuddered at the mere thought of stopping and swayed right and left as if I knew how to maneuver a car in pursuit.
“Take a right here,” one of them yelped as he rolled down the window. He budged his arm out the small crack and shot at the car behind.
By the time I crossed the Giovanni Bridge, it felt as if a massive earthquake was convulsing the bridge.
Needless to say, I was frozen in shock. The beating of my heart muffled the exchange fire. My heart was beating faster and faster as the bridge seemed to extend longer and longer.
“Cross through the park,” one of them hollered.
I took a sharp left turn swaying left and right through trees and benches. I ran through an alley as my side mirrors ripped off as they hit window sills of the neighrboring houses. I took a sharp right turn as Salieri’s bar came to sight. The bell-rung door opened as regiments of Mafia members casually stepped out with heavy artillery.
“Stop here, we’re good,” as I shook to pull over at a curb. I heard an engine stop spinning as the car behind us exploded into bits of pieces.
As the passengers exited the car, they peeped through and whispered, “Wait here.”
The road was quiet again as my heart began to calm down and the adrenaline was seeping into my digestive system. My stomach began to ache and I began breathing heavily.
I heard a door creak open by a bell, and looked to see my passenger walk out of the door towards my car. This was the end. They would surely have to kill me. I shivered as he slowly reached into his jacket pocket.
I closed my eyes as casually as I could for I couldn't bare to look.
He reached through the passenger window. I opened my eyes to see an envelope overflowing with bills.
“Mr. Salieri is greatly pleased for your services. He doesn’t let favors go by unnoticed. Come by if you ever need us and maybe we can pull a few strings and get you a spot with one of us.”
"No problem,” I anxiously stuttered. He stepped back giving me the signal to begin the engine. I drove back the street as the man's figure slowly disappeared.
Once home, I opened the envelope to find thousands of dollars. This was more than enough money for reparations. I opened a bottle of whiskey thinking about what they had said. After a few shots, I made my decision. It's better to be poor and alive than dead with nothing.
The Mafia wasn't right for me.
Part II It was a bright sunday morning. I had just finished nearly five rotations around Little Italy and parked to take a rest. I peered down to light my cigarette. I gently looked up to gaze out the window.
"Get out of the car," somebody screamed as another whacked at my windows with a baseball bat.
I started the engine and went 30 meters before realizing they had popped my tires. I busted open the car door and jumped onto the sidewalk. I ran as the two men chased me only a slight distance behind. They began to fire bullets as I covered my head with my hand as if that would protect me. I took several sharp turns jumping fences but they were persistent. I was out of shape. I sped across the wide-open street as cars screeched to avoid crashing into me. I turned a corner and looked up. I saw it, Salieri's bar.
I had to make my choice. I struggled between my beliefs and my will to live. Who was I to decide between life and death? Was I to interfere with fate?
I made my decision, and now I'm alive and well. The Mafia isn't bad after all.
Genre #3: Voiceless Documentary For my third genre, I decided to generate a black and white 20’s documentary. Because there was no sound during this period, I thought it would be interesting to make this documentary voiceless. This project would include several of the factors running one by one simply in hopes of a captivating image. Overall, this genre depicts the culture as well as the answers to my central question. Through watching this project, the reader should be able to achieve an appreciation and mastery of my topic as well as an entertaining assimilation. Nick Yun
English 10
Mr. Stephens
October 26, 2009
La Cosa NostraThe Voiceless Documentary
EpilogueThis project gave me an excellent insight on the true meaning of organized crime. Until now, I and many of us have perceived the Mafia as a gang of crooks glorified through cinema and television shows. Never would I have believed the convoluted history and culture of the Mafia society until I had finished this project. The complicated stories and accidents all fused to create the perfect society for the creation of such a culture that continues to exist today. Through extensive research I was able to clasp a teeming understanding of the issue and express my knowledge in my multiple genres. As I conclude this project, I hope I have given the reader an exciting assimilation of this compelling culture.
Genre #1: Research PaperThe required research paper allowed me to compose an extensive analysis and search for the answer to my question. Although my question seemed simple, the question seemed resistant to a simple answer. I organized my paper into several paragraphs that gives detailed explanations of the Mafia’s history, expansion, construction, organization, and methods. Through this genre, the reader will be able to grasp a full understanding of the real “La Cosa Nostra.”
Nick Yun
English 10G
Mr. Stephens
October 26, 2009
A Sicilian Way of Life
The term "Mafia" dates back to nineteenth century Sicily, essentially meaning aggressive boasting, arrogant but fearless, enterprising, yet proud. Considering the absolute profound impact on both of these societies, no history can be complete in its absence. Often referred to as "La Cosa Nostra," the Mafia was an association of families that had a widespread influence from the smallest illegal dealings to the highest levels of government positions. Although today, the Mafia is considered organized crime, traditionally, the Mafia can be defined as any group of any criminal organizations of Italian or Sicilian heritage.
Several factors contributed to the construction of the Mafia. In essence, what initialized the Mafia was the political position of Italy. Both Italy and Sicily were often conquered and occupied by different forces at many different times (Picchi). This led the indigenous citizens to distrust codified legal systems and authority. By the nineteenth century, the dispute over Sicily caused its political government to collapse. With no real government, local powerful men took imaginary control known as capos (Grabianowski). They abused their powers to extract tributes from farmers also known as "extraction." This was only the beginning of La Cosa Nostra.
In the early 1900s, the Sicilian Mafia became so powerful, it was nearly impossible to avoid contact with them. Later however, dictator Benito Mussolini nearly put an end to the Mafia using often harsh methods. Because of this persecution, a major wave of Italian immigrants moved to America in the early twentieth century. (Grabianowski). While most of them worked a hard and legal life, a few brought along the culture of the Sicilian Mafia. This notorious culture spread throughout the country in the first half of the twentieth century most prominent in New York City where five infamous Mafia gangs took power (Porrello).
Social and financial factors contributed greatly to the expansion of the Mafia. "Mafia-dom" is neither a political nor a religious affiliation. Because of their Italian roots, many of the Mafioso are Catholic. Part of the oath a mobster takes when he becomes a "made man," a member of a Mafia family, is that the Mafia comes before birth, family, and God (Grabianowski). There were two fundamental reasons for the expansion of organized crime in the 1920s and its continuing growth: prohibition and the Great Depression (Carponoctem). While prohibition funded the Mafia with illegal cash flow, the Great Depression delivered the incentives for fresh recruits to join the Mafia in a time where moneymaking was difficult.
The structure and composition of the Mafia is in essence a hierarchy. La Cosa Nostra was an association of gangs alternatively known as “families.” Today, the Mafia is estimated to consist of about 100 families. While the most powerful member of each family was known as a capofaglimia (boss), the most powerful position was glorified as the capo di tutti capi (boss of all bosses). Such a position was filled by Vizzini, Riina, and Provenzano. Other than the actual members of La Cosa Nostra, families used an extensive network of associates ranging from corrupt officials as well as prospective Mafiosi. This is non-negotiably the highest any non-Italian can reach in each family.
Although there were many different gangs that often fought against each other, they all had one thing in common, the prospect and desire to make profit. The most common form of Mafia activity was extortion. Extortion was the forcing of businesses and shops to give regular payments for “protection fee” from thieves and gangs (U-S-history). Although burglaries and muggings generated income, the capos knew that their activities needed a grander scale to ensure profit. This is why they hijacked trucks and unloaded entire shipments of stolen goods. Another method used by Mafioso is to pay off truck drivers or dock workers, who "misplaced" shipments that later ended up in Mafia hands (Grabianowski). The Mafia in both Sicily and America also used drug and arms trafficking as a criminal enterprise as well. It is estimated the Sicilian Mafia profited nearly 12 billion dollars through drug trafficking and nearly 2.5 billion dollars through arms trafficking. The Mafia’s widespread influence in public and private contracting profited the Mafia billions.
Today, the Mafia is nothing more than a symptom of the communities its traces lead. Should the Mafia have had stronger cooperation, both Sicily and the U.S. would be “corrupt beyond-belief.” This unimaginable society, glorified through cinema, terrorized through thought, and fabricated in history, is something no country will never forget.
Works Cited
1931, September, and Charles &. "Organized Crime - American Mafia." Law Library - American Law and Legal Information. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://law.jrank.org/pages/11944/Organized-Crime-American-Mafia.html>.
1960s, the, the Mafia had mostly shifted from direct provision of illegal services, like bookmaking, loansharking, loansharks, in effect, sell these entrepreneurs contract insurance, painstakingly, bloodily acquired earlier, and was now the principal asset.. "The decline of the American Mafia | Public Interest | Find Articles at BNET." Find Articles at BNET | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0377/is_n120/ai_17379694/>.
"The Mafia in Sicilian History, Sicilian Corruption, the European Commission." Sicily - Best of Sicily Travel Guide... The real Sicily and all things Sicilian since 1999. Travel, tourism, history, cooking, food, wine, tours, culture and more. Published in Italy, the world's most Sicilian website! Sicilian tourism, travel informaton. Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Palermo, Cefalu, Sicily Archeology.. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.bestofsicily.com/mafia.>.
Picchi, Lorenzo. "History of the Mafia-Lorenzo Picchi." History of the Mafia-Lorenzo Picchi. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.historyofthemafia.net/>.
"Introduction to the Mafia."Carpe Noctem - Seize the Night. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.carpenoctem.tv/mafia/>.
"GangRule, The History of the Mafia." GangRule, The History of the Mafia. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://www.gangrule.com/>.
Grabianowski, Ed. "HowStuffWorks "How the Mafia Works"." Howstuffworks "People". 24 Oct. 2009 <http://people.howstuffworks.com/mafia.htm>.
"Rick Porrello's - AmericanMafia.com - The Organized Crime and Mafia Super Site." Rick Porrello's - AmericanMafia.com - The Organized Crime and Mafia Super Site. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://www.americanmafia.com/>.
"The American Mafia." The American Mafia. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://www.onewal.com/>.
"The Mafia in America." Home | drugtext. 24 Oct. 2009 <http://www.drugtext.org/library/books/McCoy/book/07.htm>.
Genre #2: Short Story
For my second genre, I chose to compose a fiction short story. Because my topic depicts so much action in imagery alone, I thought it would be perfect to write a story on the action glorified in its history and the reality that it represents. My short story was based on a taxi driver that eventually yet unexpectedly becomes part of the notorious Mafia. This was a common situation in the Mafia era, hence I thought it would be a necessary component of this project. In this genre, the reader will be able to seize the moment of the transformation of a real “Mafioso.”
Nick Yun
English 10
Mr. Stephens
October 26, 2009
Good Decisions, Alive and Well
Part II rolled up the window, frowned at the bitter frost, and pulled over at the curb before 44th. Lost in thought, I lit my cigarette with a lighter my father had given me. As with every heirloom, I speculated it for a short while and threw it back into my pouch. Things weren’t going to well; in the middle of the depression with a family to support. My once shiny taxi had rusted into an unrecognizable shred of metal. I couldn’t blame mother nature for hurting human nature. I was lucky to even have a job.
The snow glistening on the sidewalks, shining with so many little diamonds, under the lights of the electric poles all the way down the street. My peaceful serenity shattered as quick and heavy footsteps became gradually more conspicuous. I leaned to look at the mirror and saw two men approaching my car.
“Who wants a ride at this hour,” I quietly whispered to myself as I budged to turn around.
The two men were now jolting across the icy road running toward my taxi. I had locked my doors thinking my last job was across Hoboken. I leaned over the small storage compartment to unlock the doors manually. The next thing I knew, a colt 911 was in my face.
“Sam there’s no time, get in the car. Take us to Salieri’s bar quick!”
Speechless, I hurriedly jammed my key into the ignition. The car slowly hummed into a beat. I heard gunshots from a distance as sounds of ricochet and flashes of bullets zipped by my windows. My moist hands jittered as I zoomed across the icy snow beneath my squeaky wheels. Although it was ever so cold outside, I felt closer to the sun than ever. I shuddered at the mere thought of stopping and swayed right and left as if I knew how to maneuver a car in pursuit.
“Take a right here,” one of them yelped as he rolled down the window. He budged his arm out the small crack and shot at the car behind.
By the time I crossed the Giovanni Bridge, it felt as if a massive earthquake was convulsing the bridge.
Needless to say, I was frozen in shock. The beating of my heart muffled the exchange fire. My heart was beating faster and faster as the bridge seemed to extend longer and longer.
“Cross through the park,” one of them hollered.
I took a sharp left turn swaying left and right through trees and benches. I ran through an alley as my side mirrors ripped off as they hit window sills of the neighrboring houses. I took a sharp right turn as Salieri’s bar came to sight. The bell-rung door opened as regiments of Mafia members casually stepped out with heavy artillery.
“Stop here, we’re good,” as I shook to pull over at a curb. I heard an engine stop spinning as the car behind us exploded into bits of pieces.
As the passengers exited the car, they peeped through and whispered, “Wait here.”
The road was quiet again as my heart began to calm down and the adrenaline was seeping into my digestive system. My stomach began to ache and I began breathing heavily.
I heard a door creak open by a bell, and looked to see my passenger walk out of the door towards my car. This was the end. They would surely have to kill me. I shivered as he slowly reached into his jacket pocket.
I closed my eyes as casually as I could for I couldn't bare to look.
He reached through the passenger window. I opened my eyes to see an envelope overflowing with bills.
“Mr. Salieri is greatly pleased for your services. He doesn’t let favors go by unnoticed. Come by if you ever need us and maybe we can pull a few strings and get you a spot with one of us.”
"No problem,” I anxiously stuttered. He stepped back giving me the signal to begin the engine. I drove back the street as the man's figure slowly disappeared.
Once home, I opened the envelope to find thousands of dollars. This was more than enough money for reparations. I opened a bottle of whiskey thinking about what they had said. After a few shots, I made my decision. It's better to be poor and alive than dead with nothing.
The Mafia wasn't right for me.
Part II It was a bright sunday morning. I had just finished nearly five rotations around Little Italy and parked to take a rest. I peered down to light my cigarette. I gently looked up to gaze out the window.
"Get out of the car," somebody screamed as another whacked at my windows with a baseball bat.
I started the engine and went 30 meters before realizing they had popped my tires. I busted open the car door and jumped onto the sidewalk. I ran as the two men chased me only a slight distance behind. They began to fire bullets as I covered my head with my hand as if that would protect me. I took several sharp turns jumping fences but they were persistent. I was out of shape. I sped across the wide-open street as cars screeched to avoid crashing into me. I turned a corner and looked up. I saw it, Salieri's bar.
I had to make my choice. I struggled between my beliefs and my will to live. Who was I to decide between life and death? Was I to interfere with fate?
I made my decision, and now I'm alive and well. The Mafia isn't bad after all.
Genre #3: Voiceless Documentary
For my third genre, I decided to generate a black and white 20’s documentary. Because there was no sound during this period, I thought it would be interesting to make this documentary voiceless. This project would include several of the factors running one by one simply in hopes of a captivating image. Overall, this genre depicts the culture as well as the answers to my central question. Through watching this project, the reader should be able to achieve an appreciation and mastery of my topic as well as an entertaining assimilation.
Nick Yun
English 10
Mr. Stephens
October 26, 2009
La Cosa NostraThe Voiceless Documentary
EpilogueThis project gave me an excellent insight on the true meaning of organized crime. Until now, I and many of us have perceived the Mafia as a gang of crooks glorified through cinema and television shows. Never would I have believed the convoluted history and culture of the Mafia society until I had finished this project. The complicated stories and accidents all fused to create the perfect society for the creation of such a culture that continues to exist today. Through extensive research I was able to clasp a teeming understanding of the issue and express my knowledge in my multiple genres. As I conclude this project, I hope I have given the reader an exciting assimilation of this compelling culture.